Is it just me, or does anybody else get the heebie jeebies watching the news lately? What is going on out there!!!!! Fights and protests. Prices going up on everything!!! Natural disasters. How could anyone say that our world is doing fine. It's not people! It's time to get prepared!
We have a friend who owns a grocery store. He said it is "unreal" how much the prices have gone up. In one day the cost of coffee went from $6.99 to $13.99. Sugar is no longer just $1.25 for 5 lbs. Wheat and corn costs are going through the roof. Don't even get me started on butter. Another reason for getting a milk cow. lol.
The price of gas is really skyrocketing to prices that we haven't seen in a while. Will people stop doing their normal running when prices get to $5 a gallon? Truthfully? Probably not. They will pay it and keep going on. They will cut back on other things, like buying the $.75 mac and cheese instead of buying the bag of apples.Then our health will take a downturn. Then we will have to pay for health care. It just keeps going and going. Yet people don't want to admit that they can't live the life that they have been. Will that change if we see gas prices at $10 a gallon?
Another thing is, the government is broke people. WE are broke. People don't want to see the U.S. in debt but they are not willing to sacrifice anything. Well, something's got to give. People aren't going to be able to live the life they are use to. Sacrifices have to be made. This is coming from a person who puts fake fingernails on people. And you want to hear something funny? My business is growing! I mean, come on people! Are fake fingernails a necessity? Don't get me wrong, I'll take your money. It won't hurt my feelings. But please don't make me sit and listen to you complain about not being about to afford gas or food or electric. Your nails cost you anywhere from $25 to $50. That could buy a bunch of apples and oranges. A few gallons of gas. And it could take a chunk out of your electric bill. We can't keep living like this! When are people going to realize? Oh, I know, when THEY are actually asked to sacrifice something. It either has to be higher taxes on everyone, including the poor, or sacrifices like jobs and food stamps or the like.
The only thing that I can do right now is just prepare. Something has got to give in this pressure cooker situation. There is going to be a change that will be forced on us all. Some how some way. Me? I'm trying to live a sustainable life. I'm not as close to self sufficiency as I want to be, but I keep trying. I try to learn new things all the time. Whether it be gardening, saving seeds, making my own bread, taking care of animals that will provide food for me and my family, growing herbs for medicine or just plain old how to be content with what we have. It's a journey that I'm on. I still buy bread at the store, but as soon as I get REAL comfortable with making my own bread that will stop. I still buy milk. As soon as my goats have babies, I'll have milk. I'll learn how to make cheese, soap, and a whole lot of other things. But buy learning how to do these things, I depend on other people for things less and less. It's a good feeling.
So if you are starting to get the heebie jeebies like me, you might want to start seeing where you can change your life into becoming a little more self sufficient. Maybe not a HUGE plunge into the self sufficient pool, but maybe a little toe.
So until next time,
Small Farm Girl, still learning.
20 comments:
Excellent rant topic! I agree 100+% and truthfully you know when people are going to realize it, when it's "TO LATE"!
I have a rant as well and I'm going to share it*wink* We've been trying to educate people on supporting local foods and products for 5+ yrs now and STILL they do NOT get it. Well..... they've worn me down and I'm no longer going to waste my breath nor energy, instead I'm putting the focus back into doing for ourselves and helping the elderly( who are having to choose between food, prescription drugs and heat for their homes) I will NOT donate to the local food pantry, as they help far, far to many who certainly have the ability to help themselves but are raised and raising generational welfare participants.
We worked so hard on our CSA stuff this year, advertising, making up flyers and distributing, etc..... Still no takers and I priced our memberships very reasonable, a FULL membership( enough for a family of 4) is $400 for a 18-22 week season. Based on an 18 week season, that breaks down to just $22 a week, for fresh produce, if the season goes for let's say 22 weeks that all the more savings to them.
Yesterday when talking to a lady about our CSA at the P.O. office she informed me that Montanans know how to take care of themselves and most have Grandmas and Aunts that have the skills on how to garden, can and preserve, raise animals( chickens), etc.... The thing she doesn't realize is yes they have the know how, but they've given away or sold all of their canning jars and supplies, to people such as myself. They no longer garden, so therefore probably don't own a tiller anymore, nor a hoe and let's not forget seeds! I just shook my head in defeat and walked to the car. Someday I hope that lady remembers our conversation.
Okay rant over!LOL!!!
Blessings,
Kelle
Do you know about....http://chickensintheroad.com..?...woman who left city life for the back roads of West Virginia...starting her own farm...she got lots of helpful tip on how to be self contained...i read her everyday......
Enjoy
I so agree with this "Rant". I am blown away. Of course, in Hawaii, coffee was already that price and 5 lbs of sugar is three times the price you quote.
It is the same in Oz..price rises for food.Petrol prices going up and electricity..all the basics!
And still alot of people just dont 'get it' ???
You will get there..keep going,keep learning :0)Seek out people with skills you would like to learn,most like to share their knowledge.Bartering is something that we all should do more of too.
And the breadmaking..I make mine,and its prety good too,lol..but I made ALOT of 'bricks' when I first started,just dont give up.
I got the heebie jeebies a few years back and I am now self sufficent in meat and most vegetables. But If I need too I will get a milking goat and I will learn to milk her. People here think Im crazy and a bit like chicken little but wake up everyone the sky really is falling down.
I'm so with you on this one. I am so glad that folks like yourself and kelle and others are out here in the Great Big Blue Nowhere. I find more understanding of the situation our country is in here than in the little town I live in. Folks still haven't "seen the light" and I'm afraid when they finally do we are going to see a whole lot of peopele who are mad as H*ll and acting like they are now doing in Wisconsin. Hang on to your hat's my prepper friends, This road is getting ready to get pretty rough. We have only just seen the beginning of the rise in gas prices and at the grocery store. Those of us who are trying to prepare will be all the better for it. Wow, I guess I better stop now before I go "ranting" with you!!
I agree with your rantings. I'd be happy to live more simply - but hubby would balk me at every turn...our gas jumped to $3.38 today...wow...gettin high....electric jumped from $127.00 to 299.17 last month...debbie
We are right there with you, preparing for the worst..hang in there and I have hopes that some of us farm-y, homestead types will come through on top.
It's too bad no one will listen to you. They just look at you funny like you are crazy. I've tried to talk to people I know about this but I only got a few considering getting chickens. It's so sad that they are the ones who will be unprepared. My husband and I are learning as much as we can so we dont have to depend on stores and such to survive. Looks to me like you have a lot of followers who are on our bandwagon! Makes me feel better to know I'm not the only one out here feeling like you do.
Hi small farm girl, I'm right there with you. I'd recommend a movie called "Collapse" (kind of depressing) and "Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil" (uplifting) Both deal with the subject of prepping for $10 a gallon gasoline. I'm prepping here. On multiple fronts. I have two pregnant goats and three weaner pigs on deposit for April. Lots of meat in the freezer and a ton of seeds. Plants in the grow room waiting for spring. Things are getting serious, but there is lots to be hopeful for...if you're prepared.
AMEN! We feel the same way which is why we do all we can on the little land we have to grow our own food and make as much from scratch as possible. It's a healthier way to live, better for the Earth, and sustainable when times get really tough! Luckily, Hubby's job is one he can do at home should the gas continue to rise, he will be requesting to work from home.
Yes there is much going on in the world right now for sure. Its one thing after another.
I won't get started on how if Local,State and Federal governments handled our tax dollars right they would not be broke!
There is a sense of security I agree in being able to raise your own food or at least a good portion of it.
I have considered getting a dairy cow, would like one. I do not have anyone I could call on to milk when I am not here though. So still trying to work that out. We have meat goats (I am vegetarian) but the DH isn't and laying hens.
Nothing wrong with being as self sufficient as one can be, in good times or bad :O).
Try making the no knead bread, you will not believe how easy and good it is! I now make our bread! This is super easy and it is just what its called, no knead. You put all your ingredients in a bowl let it rise and pour/dump it into to bread pans. There are various recipes for it floating around. I did a post on my blog for it with recipe.
http://texan.blogspot.com/search?q=no+knead+bread
It is so nice to see that there are others that are worried about these issues. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this and yes we too get a case of the heebie jeebies everytime we turn on the television. It sounds like you are well on your way to being prepared for the possibilty of hard times.
I'm learning right along with you. Each year we try something new and get closer to perfecting things we've done in past years. We've involved our six children in every bit of it, too. They'll be able to be less reliant on outside sources when they are grown.
I haven't gone so far as to get a milking animal. Nor do I make my own bread. Won't say that I never will, though!
You may not think that people are listening, but they are. People watch how you live. They see that it is possible. More will make the jump into a more self-reliant lifestyle because they see you doing it. It is happening. Slowly, yes, but still happening nonetheless.
Just wanted to chime in here that I definitely hear you. I'm glad to know that there are "some" folks out there noticing what's happening in the world. There is no harm in preparing for the worst - it can only do you good.
I just found your blog from a link at Rural Revolution. I thoroughly enjoyed your "rant", and agree whole heartedly! What fascinates me is that we're practically neighbors, as I live just across the river.
I too am concerned about the way things are going, and I'm afraid it is only going to get worse. If there was ever a time to prepare, it's now. Keep up the good work. I'm definitely going to put your blog in my "favorites" for future reference. Keep up the good work.
Your Ohio neighbor
i totally agree. that's one reason why i'm not happy about being in the high desert - i have to depend upon others for water and have no pasture. it's scary. priorities are messed up. people won't part with their fake nails, their starbucks or iphone, but you're right - they'll complain that they're broke. this country has become so entitled. i think many have forgotten how to work. we're so hooked on materialism many don't know how to do without. it's a big distraction. good post! my garden is almost done, my chickens are laying and i'm doing all i can. glad you are, too!
Great rant. Like Kelle I too am worn down trying to convince people they need to prepare. One example is the frivolous expenditures that people will spend on say decorations for (name your holiday) just floors me. I don't care if you got it for 50% off it's all wasted resources.
I'm striving for Mr. H's gardens.
Amen, sister!
I actually enjoyed your "rant", my hubby & I have been trying to spread the word to friends and family for sometime. While we are FAR from self sufficent, we are taking steps too. We live in a small town that doesn't allow farm animals inside the city limits, but luckily our place is big enough for a large garden. We've been stocking up on paper esentials, dried goods & canned goods for some time now. My hubby delivers that high dollar fuel and we sure haven't seen people slow down as the prices go up!! They just don't get how bad things are going to get....heck, most people don't even watch the news at all! They are completly ignorant to what is going on in the US much less the world!
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